Today’s kids are tomorrow’s adults. What does it take to make sure they get there healthy. Whole and grounded in faith?
DISCUSSION GUIDE Week 1—Feb. 11/12, 2012 Faith-filled | Jason Anderson
INTRODUCTION Maybe you’re a parent raising kids in the thick of those formative years right now. If not, as an adult, you’ll likely interact with and influence some of the kids growing up in our society and in our churches today. The dream of every parent is to have amazing kids with strong character who make great choices. But without intentionally investing into who they’re becoming—they’ll drift the other way. This is especially true when it comes to faith. In this first message of the series Raising Amazing Kids, let the scripture and questions guide your discussion about the role you can play in raising faith-filled kids.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 1. Think back to your childhood. Tell about one person that you knew, aside from your parents, who positively (or negatively) impacted your view of faith in God. 2. How did your parents approach faith, and how did that influence your own faith journey? 3. Read Deuteronomy 6:4-7. It gives a picture of what the aim of your own relationship with God should be like, but also gives a command to model, impart and teach God’s ways to the next generation. What about that feels most challenging to you? 4. Jason talked about the “drop off” culture we live in—when we don’t have the skills, time or training to teach our kids something, typically we can drop them off so that someone else will do it. Why doesn’t that mentality work when it comes to leading a child to be a person of character and integrity who lives with godly values? What time pockets can you take advantage of this week to invest in a child? 5. A Barna Research study reveals that nearly half of all Americans who receive Jesus as their savior do so before the age of 13, and 64 percent before the age of 18. Read Mark 10:13-16. Why is impressing faith on this age group so important? What are some things that kids and students can learn from you? What can you learn from them? 6. Read 1 Timothy 4:11-12. If you’re a parent, who are some other Christian adults you could involve in your child’s life to influence them to grow and live for Christ? Who could you influence through your example and encouragement—either directly or through getting involved in a ministry to kids or students at EBC?
THINK ABOUT IT Parents and invested adults are responsible to model faith to our children, impress faith on them through various everyday opportunities, and also involve others in their growth. Truthfully, that requires a bit of self-reflection, courage and honesty with kids about where we are on our own journey. Look for ways God can use your experiences to engage in better two-way conversations with a kid or student.
COMMIT TO MEMORY “And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength.” Deuteronomy 6:5
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